Bruuuuuce!

Dominique Zeigler is your punt return man this Sunday in Miami. That’s according to Mike Singletary, who said that before boarding a plane for South Florida. Battle is out with his re-aggravated foot injury and it doesn’t appear that Allen Rossum will be sufficiently recovered from his ankle injury to do the job.

Singletary is sticking to the assertion that Frank Gore will be a game-day decision. If Gore doesn’t play, I’d like to see plenty of Michael Robinson, particularly in the “wildcat.” Nobody throws out the the wildcat, but Robinson could. I’d also like to see him get 10 to 15 carries just to see what he could do with them.

Blogger JayCheever brought up some interesting points about a non-quarterback throwing, and a quarterback receiving. He asked if a non-quarterback throwing is entitled to the same protections in the pocket. The answer is yes – can’t hit him in the head, can’t hit him late, etc. Also if a quarterback catches a pass and slides feet first, he can’t be hit. Even if a receiver slides feet first he can’t be hit. Baltimore safety Ed Reed did it the other day after picking off a pass. He slid and the play was over.

SPRUCE BRUCE

Mike Martz said the other day that Isaac Bruce looks much like the Isaac Bruce of 10 years ago. The guy still runs impeccable routes, gets yards after the catch, and isn’t shy about throwing blocks down field.

Isaac Bruce: Run Silent, Run Deep.

He’s also the most frustrating 49er to cover. He says nothing and he could impart so much. He’s the player that knows Mike Martz the best, that knows the system the best, that could compare Shaun Hill with other quarterbacks in the Martz system. He’s the one who’s the unquestioned leader of the receiving corps. But Bruce refuses to give anything but one sentence answers and most of the time not even that.

The guy is also playful on the field. While he doesn’t flash the electric smile like a Hines Ward, he does joke around often. When a pass was overthrown in the corner of the end zone at Candlestick last Sunday, Bruce wrapped a female security guard in his arms and whispered something into her ear. It left her beaming.

Last year as a member of the Rams, Bruce was committing a blatant offensive pass interference against a 49er, which caught the attention of then coach Mike Nolan. When Nolan, who was clad in a dark suit, started yelling at Bruce.

Bruce turned to Nolan and fired back, “Who the heck are you, Johnny Cash?” Nolan said he couldn’t do anything but laugh.

Bruce has also made a huge difference in the development of Jason Hill. The second-round pick in 2007 made little impact his rookie season and was gaining a reputation as prima donna in the locker room even though he hadn’t done anything yet. When Bruce arrived, Hill emulated the 15-year veteran, which has helped Hill become a professional on and off the field.

Hill even looks like Bruce on the field, with similar speed and mannerisms. Hill’s also developing Bruce’s route-running techniques, with the ability to change direction and lose defenders.

Bruce could talk about that too, if he was willing. Maybe if I dressed up like Johnny Cash, he’d talk to me.

GAY ON PIOLI

I agree with those who praised Nancy Gay’s column. She encouraged the 49ers to hire Patriots executive Scott Pioli. The 49ers absolutely need a team president and the one thing I’d add to Nance’s column is that the Patriots got the “Patriot Way” from the 49ers. When New England owner Robert Craft was learning how to build his team, he came to San Francisco during the DeBartolo reign to find out how the 49ers did things.